Perhaps we all experience a mental light bulb illumination from time to time that evokes a reaction of « Now why didn’t I think of that before? » It’s familiar territory for me, in any case.

So, as an example, a day or so ago a light bulb flashed for me regarding GOP behavior regarding stimulus payments to offset some of the negative impacts of the pandemic response.

In the first wave of stimulus payouts, corporations benefited greatly. The wealth of the wealthy increased (!) outrageously. The newly unemployed were awarded $600 payments for a few months. The economy didn’t falter badly (healthier than expected – because of the $600 payments!). Personal spending rose! People weren’t getting evicted or foreclosed. But then, because the pandemic was still not treated seriously, the stimulus support ran out before the pandemic was successfully dealt with.

Since the first stimulus was so effective at supporting the economy the president loves to brag of, I expected Congress to welcome the « Heroes Act » passed by the House in May with open arms. It provided for needed support to deal with the pandemic, support to the states for the enormous burdens they had encountered, to further protect against foreclosures and evictions. It would have made the president look better than he deserves. It would have « promoted the general welfare » in a time of crisis. What’s not to like about that? The Republicans would likely be looking forward to a super sweep in the elections. But…no.

It is now two weeks before Election Day. Republicans are flailing to survive (but let’s not count any chickens in the egg crate yet!). Suddenly they are considering a new stimulus package. Why? Why have they let this happen this way?

My knee-jerk response was: « Because they are stingy, self-serving, narrow-minded, idiots. » But that reflex kept me from recognizing a deeper, darker, more sinister possibility: they stopped the stimulus to starve the grassroots support so essential to a Democratic campaign!

That was the light bulb! They used the conventions of siege warfare: starve the enemy into surrender and capitulation. That is a vicious, heartless and unAmerican course of action. It goes far beyond a justification of « that’s just politics. » It flouts American values of fair play, justice and decency. It’s not merely idiotic – it’s mean spirited. Years ago I had a Mississippi mother-in-law who taught me to distinguish a redneck from a « good ol’ boy »: « a good ol’ boy wouldn’t hurt you unless he had to. ». These politicians are definitely not « good ol’ boys; » they are mean-spirited opportunists who take pleasure in creating and adding to the misery of others.

They didn’t count on people stepping up to support candidates for this election at unprecedented levels. May it continue!

And now, with the election two weeks away, they are in talks to pass another stimulus before the election. They hope to claim credit for whatever they propose and pray that it doesn’t provide further support for democratic efforts. If a new stimulus is passed this week I hope that none of us credit them with belated compassion!

Why didn’t I see this for what it is – sooner?